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United States Patent |
5,014,948
|
Asaro
,   et al.
|
May 14, 1991
|
Article support apparatus
Abstract
An apparatus including a plate-like support member, including a plurality
of spaced "U" shaped hooks arranged for securing the plate overlying a
support structure such as a door, curtain rod, and the like. A series of
equally spaced "J" shaped hooks are mounted to a forward surface of the
support plate, and each includes a transversely and integrally mounted
horizontal rod mounting a sphere at each end thereof coaxially of the rod.
Modifications of the invention include telescoping rods accommodating
various articles, as well as selectively removable coverings for the
spheres to enhance engagement with articles mounted thereon.
Inventors:
|
Asaro; Stanley B. (74-607 Gary, Palm Desert, CA 92260);
Asaro; Toni J. (74-607 Gary, Palm Desert, CA 92260)
|
Appl. No.:
|
500535 |
Filed:
|
March 26, 1990 |
Current U.S. Class: |
248/215; 211/104; 211/119.004 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47B 096/06 |
Field of Search: |
248/215,214,278
211/86,104
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1216730 | Feb., 1917 | Quiggle | 248/215.
|
1361056 | Dec., 1920 | Hickman | 248/215.
|
1389218 | Aug., 1921 | Primeau | 211/104.
|
1587676 | Jun., 1926 | Patterson | 211/104.
|
2151510 | Mar., 1939 | Gorfein | 211/86.
|
2346276 | Apr., 1944 | Reittinger | 248/215.
|
2532255 | Nov., 1950 | Davis | 248/215.
|
2706049 | Apr., 1955 | Andrews | 211/86.
|
2808942 | Oct., 1957 | Harrison et al. | 211/86.
|
3653624 | Apr., 1972 | Abel | 248/215.
|
4726607 | Feb., 1988 | White | 211/86.
|
Primary Examiner: Smith; Gary L.
Assistant Examiner: Dino; Suzanne L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gilden; Leon
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent
of the United States is as follows:
1. An article support apparatus comprising, in combination,
an elongate longitudinally aligned support plate, the support plate
including at least a forward planar face and an upper elongate edge, the
upper elongate edge including a plurality of hanger members fixedly
mounted thereto, each hanger member including a forward leg aligned in
planar alignment with the support plate and each forward plate including a
base leg extending rearwardly of the forward leg, and
a rear leg extending downwardly relative to each base leg and each rear leg
is arranged generally parallel to each forward leg, and
a plurality of hook members mounted to the forward face of the support
plate, and
each hook member including a horizontally aligned support rod fixedly
mounted within each hook member, and
wherein each hook member is configured of a generally "J" shaped
configuration including a forward end defining a concave interior surface,
wherein each support rod is fixedly mounted within each concave surface
adjacent the forward end arranged generally parallel to the support plate,
and
wherein each support rod includes a further support rod telescopingly
slidable from within each support rod, wherein each further support rod
includes a support sphere integrally and coaxially mounted at each
terminal end of each further support rod, and wherein each of the further
support rods are aligned coextensively relative to one another, and
including a first covering sphere selectively securable about each support
sphere, wherein the first covering sphere is defined by a resilient memory
retentent material and includes an interior spherical cavity substantially
complementary to that as defined by the support sphere to complementarily
receive the support sphere interiorly of the first covering sphere, and
wherein the first covering sphere includes a resilient and expandable
annular opening to receive the support sphere therethrough, and with the
annular opening defined by an annular opening diameter substantially equal
to a diameter defined by the further support rod, and
wherein the apparatus further includes a second covering sphere, and
wherein the second covering sphere includes a second annular opening equal
to the predetermined diameter, wherein the annular opening is in
communication with the second covering sphere cavity defined interiorly of
the second covering sphere, and wherein the second covering sphere
includes a resilient shell, and wherein the resilient shell includes a
covering coextensively of an exterior surface of the second covering
sphere defined by the hook and loop fasteners.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to article support apparatus, and more
particularly pertains to a new and improved article support apparatus
wherein the same is securable and positionable overlying a door support
rod framework to enable securement and support of various articles
thereon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The need for support structure in dwellings, and particularly dwellings of
limited storage space is required and has been addressed somewhat by the
prior art. Such support structure of the prior art has included various
hooks to permit accessory storage of articles. The instant invention
attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by utilizing an
accessory storage apparatus wherein the same is conveniently securable to
an existing structural aspect of an associated dwelling, such as a door
frame, and is further adjustable to accommodate various classes of
articles to be mounted thereon. Examples of the prior art include U.S.
Pat. No. 2,736,437 to Boycott setting forth a clothes rack including a
plurality of hook members mounted thereon, wherein the hook members are
pivotally mounted to the rack to prevent storage of various garments
thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,954,954 to Larson sets forth a rack structure with a looped
bracket member pivotally mounted thereon to support various articles of
clothing thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 278,106; U.S. Pat No. Des. 193,394; and U.S. Pat No.
Des. 279,450 illustrate various hook assemblages arranged for support of
various articles thereon.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new
and improved article support apparatus wherein the same is easily mounted
on existing support structure within a dwelling and further accommodates
various articles thereon and in this respect, the present invention
substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of
support structures now present in the prior art, the present invention
provides an article support apparatus wherein the same is readily
securable within an existing dwelling and is provided with various
adjustability to accommodate various classes of articles to be supported
thereon. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will
be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus which has all the advantages of the
prior art support and none of the disadvantages.
To attain this, this present invention provides an apparatus including a
plate-like support member, including a plurality of spaced "U" shaped
hooks arranged for securing the plate overlying a support structure such
as a door, curtain rod, and the like. A series of equally spaced "J"
shaped hooks are mounted to a forward surface of the support plate, and
each includes a transversely and integrally mounted horizontal rod
mounting a sphere at each end thereof coaxially of the rod. Modifications
of the invention include telescoping rods accommodating various articles,
as well as selectively removable coverings for the spheres to enhance
engagement with articles mounted thereon.
My invention resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in
the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and
it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of
all of its structures for the functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features
of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,
additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter
and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this
disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing
of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as
they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the
scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familar
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus which has all the advantages of the
prior art support apparatus and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved
article support apparatus which may be easily and efficiently manufactured
and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus which is of a durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost of
manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly
is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby
making such article support apparatus economically available to the buying
public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus which provides in the apparatuses and
methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while
simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated
therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and
improved article support apparatus wherein the same is readily
accommodated within an existing dwelling and further permits securement of
various classes of articles thereon.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific object attained by its uses, reference should
be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the
following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference
to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of a prior art article support
apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic side view taken in elevation of a prior art
article support apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a top orthographic view of the support apparatus as illustrated
in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic side view taken in elevation of the instant
invention.
FIG. 6 is an orthographic top view of the instant invention.
FIG. 7 is an orthographic top view of a modified support rod structure of
the instant invention.
FIG. 8 is an isometric illustration of a resilient covering securable to a
support sphere of the instant invention.
FIG. 9 is an orthographic view of the resilient sphere of FIG. 8 mounted to
a support sphere.
FIG. 10 is an isometric illustration of a modified support sphere covering
utilized by the instant invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 10
thereof, a new and improved article support apparatus embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated
by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art hook structure 1, including a support
bracket 2 with a forward projecting rigid hook member 3 including an
underlying interdigited support plate 4. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a
further prior art hook structure 5 including a series of support spheres 6
mounted at the end of rigid rods, with an underlying support plate mounted
to a support bracket 8 for support to a door structure and the like.
More specifically, the article support apparatus 10 of the instant
invention essentially comprises an elongate longitudinally aligned support
plate 11 arranged in a horizontal orientation, including a plurality of
spaced "U" shaped mounting hangers 12 integrally mounted to and
orthogonally directed of the support plate 11. The hangers 12 each
includes a forward leg 13 directed upwardly from integral association with
an upper edge of the support plate 11 terminating in a base leg 15
extending of the forward leg 13, and including a rear leg 14 arranged
parallel to the forward leg 13 directed downwardly from the base leg 15 to
permit overlying securement of the organization to a support structure
such as a door "D" or a shower curtain rod and the like alternatively. A
series of "J" shaped hooks 16 are integrally mounted to a forward surface
of the support plate 11 at equally spaced intervals therealong, and each
of the hooks 16 includes a forward end 19 spaced forwardly of the support
plate 11 defining a concave support cradle structure to receive articles
thereon. A horizontal support rod 17 is mounted to the interior concave
surface of each of the "J" shaped hooks 16 adjacent to and underlying the
forward end 19 and arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
defined by the support plate 11. Each of the horizontal support rods 17
includes a support sphere 18 integrally mounted to each terminal end of
each support rod 17 coaxially thereof. As illustrated, a variety of
articles may be supported upon the articles support apparatus 10 including
garment hangers, flexible garments and the like.
FIG. 7 illustrates a modified support rod structure 20 including
telescoping legs 21 slidably received through each opposed end of the
modified support rod 20. Each telescoping leg 21 includes a support sphere
18 coaxially and integrally mounted to a terminal end of each telescoping
leg 21 spaced from the modified support rod 20 to accommodate variously
configured garments and articles thereon.
FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a resilient memory retentent spherical member 22
including a spherical cavity 23 defined by a complementary configuration
defined by a sphere 18, with a resiliently expandable annular opening 24
defined by an expanded diameter substantially equal to that defined by
each telescoping leg 21 to provide a secure frictional engaging securement
to each of the support spheres 18 in surrounding relationship thereto. The
covering spheres 22 provide enhanced frictional engaging surface to
provide selective frictional engagement of various articles thereon, such
as a garment and the like. FIG. 10 illustrates a modified covering sphere
22a including a spherical body, with a cavity 23 therewith of a
configuration substantially equal to that as described relative to the
cavity 23, with an annular opening 24a defined by a diameter substantially
equal to the diameter of the telescoping rod 21 in a relaxed
configuration, but expandable to permit surrounding securement of each of
the resilient modified spheres 22a about an associated support sphere 18.
The modified covering sphere 22a is formed coextensively about its
surface, with a hook and loop fastener surface to enhance engagement with
various fabric articles to be positioned and supported by the support
sphere with the modified covering sphere 22a formed thereon.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same
should be apparent from the above disclosure, and accordingly no further
discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation of the instant
invention shall be provided. With respect to the above description then,
it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the
parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent
relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may
be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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